Memorandum of interview with Mr. M. McFarlane (Masseur)

MEMORANDUM OF INTERVIEW.
Date 17th September, 1937
Time 4 p.m. to
Reference HBM/EKK/30.
Present Mr. M. McFarlane.
Dr. H.B. Morgan.
SUBJECT.
Interview with Mr M. McFarlane (Masseur) of 29, Lithos Road, Finchley Road, London, N.W.3. (Hampstead 4435).
This Blind Masseur had a interview with me on 17th September. He made an offer that his services might be of use as a masseur treating the wounded in Spain. In the course of the interview it came out that he had lost his sight in the Great War, that he had done a certain amount of massage work, had been resident in Canada, but in recent years he had not done much massage work professionally.
I pointed out that in a war, except in the hospital, for rehabilitation, massage was at a minimum. I said I would make enquiries as to whether his services could be utilised either at the hospital at Ontinente, or whether the Spanish Medical Aid Committee could use them. - The Spanish Medical Aid Committee are not in a position to offer Mr. McFarlane any work as a masseur in Spain. It was pointed out that as Mr. McFarlane was blind it would mean that he would have to be accompanied and taken care of in the building in which he was stationed. It would obviously have to be a base hospital, and in these days, when bombing was frequent, it would mean that some other officer on the staff would have to be deputed to take care of a blind masseur in emergencies.
I explained to Mr. McFarlane the medical position as I knew it in Spain, and said that I thought the whole medical services were being reorganised. I told him quite frankly that I did not think that at the present moment services such as he had so kindly offered would be considered by the Spanish Government. I told him his offer would be keenly appreciated, but in the circumstances the situation was difficult, and I hope he would see the position.
Mr. McFarlane left quite satisfied with the explanation given.
HBM/EKK/29/9/37.

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MEMORANDUM OF INTERVIEW.
Date 17th September, 1937
Time 4 p.m. to
Reference HBM/EKK/30.
Present Mr. M. McFarlane.
Dr. H.B. Morgan.
SUBJECT.
Interview with Mr M. McFarlane (Masseur) of 29, Lithos Road, Finchley Road, London, N.W.3. (Hampstead 4435).
This Blind Masseur had a interview with me on 17th September. He made an offer that his services might be of use as a masseur treating the wounded in Spain. In the course of the interview it came out that he had lost his sight in the Great War, that he had done a certain amount of massage work, had been resident in Canada, but in recent years he had not done much massage work professionally.
I pointed out that in a war, except in the hospital, for rehabilitation, massage was at a minimum. I said I would make enquiries as to whether his services could be utilised either at the hospital at Ontinente, or whether the Spanish Medical Aid Committee could use them. - The Spanish Medical Aid Committee are not in a position to offer Mr. McFarlane any work as a masseur in Spain. It was pointed out that as Mr. McFarlane was blind it would mean that he would have to be accompanied and taken care of in the building in which he was stationed. It would obviously have to be a base hospital, and in these days, when bombing was frequent, it would mean that some other officer on the staff would have to be deputed to take care of a blind masseur in emergencies.
I explained to Mr. McFarlane the medical position as I knew it in Spain, and said that I thought the whole medical services were being reorganised. I told him quite frankly that I did not think that at the present moment services such as he had so kindly offered would be considered by the Spanish Government. I told him his offer would be keenly appreciated, but in the circumstances the situation was difficult, and I hope he would see the position.
Mr. McFarlane left quite satisfied with the explanation given.
HBM/EKK/29/9/37.